Kyiv label Kashtan share mini LP from Ukrainian artist Monoconda

Speaking about the climate surrounding the release’s recording, Monoconda says: “When life hits you with all its fury — you immediately start to understand things a bit better. You understand the meaning and the importance of your home, your nature as a human being and a personality as well. When the war hit Ukraine — things became black, white and clear at that very moment. Your identity comes out of a crisis of your personality, your consciousness makes some huge transformations in a very short period of time. War, despite all of its fears and horrors, death and devastation, speeds up a lot of processes. Whether they are economical, political or social. When you realize that tomorrow may not come — you start to move a bit faster.”

Monoconda is the alias of Kyiv-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound producer and live performer Oleksandr Filonenko. As well as making music for commercials, theatre and public spaces, his interest in electronic music has led to two releases, Alphabet in 2018 and Low Light, which was recorded during the pandemic isolation.

Kashtan is the label of Vera Logdanidi, co-founder of Kyiv party series Rhythm Büro and Natura festival. The philosophy is to share music that focuses on pure creativity, neverminding shifts in trends and time. Vera’s radio show of the same name has been running since 2017 on Kyiv independent project 20ft Radio.

Tracklist

1. Tsunami
2. Snake Whisperer
3. Nordic
4. Discovery
5. Roads
6. Escape
7. Solar Wind

Watch the official video for ‘Tsunami’.

Identity is out now on Kashtan.